Evolution from GSM to UMTS

UMTS has been designed as the next evolutionary step of GSM and GPRS. UMTS was developed with the requirement that an existing GSM operator can evolve their network to UMTS in stages. This course describes the evolutionary steps a typical operator will have to go through to support UMTS. The first step of this evolution is to move from the voice only network of GSM to the voice and packet network of GPRS. The GPRS step provides limited packet capabilities as an interim step to UMTS. UMTS, the second evolutionary step, is designed to support a highly efficient air interface, data rates up to 2 Mbps and the existing core network that is used in GSM and GPRS. In both steps, the discussion includes the types of additional equipment required, the impact on the air interface and the impact on the existing network to add the additional components. In conclusion, the next phases of UMTS are presented. This will include a discussion of the architecture and benefits ofthe IP Multimedia Subsystem and the All-IP Radio Access Network.